by Shan R. K
His steps approach me and this is about the time I'm suppose to get red in the cheeks or lower my gaze, well some girly thing like that.
And maybe if my name was Falon I would but it ain't. So I stare the fucker in his face, my black eyes no doubt dead.
Zero is intimidating on a good day, and he’s instilled his fear in me but he has also informed me that he wouldn't hurt me. I'm sure he wouldn't physically hurt me and I don't think about the other ways he could hurt me.
Truth is, I'm so fucked up that unless I’m dealing with my monster or my sixth sense is screaming at me to cower I ain't doing it.
There's danger coming off Zero but no anger, maybe disgust or wariness, but there's nothing telling me he’s going to slaughter me, and feed me to his dogs.
It's confusing to why I wanna hide from him, run from him, but can't seem to keep my eyes off of him.
“Hey.”
He greets me, stopping just a few steps into the barn, a few feet closer to me.
“Hi, yourself.” I croak, ‘cause my throat still hurts from the screaming “Ah, I..I'm...I'm just waiting for Storm.”
He arches his thick brow, his green eyes a shade lighter under the natural outside light, whilst his skin has adopted a deep golden tan.
“Storm ha,” he rubs his index finger on his scar under his eye, “Hate to break it to you but you've been waiting for me, and well done.”
“What did I do?”
He drops his hand and slides it into his pocket, his features change. I'd say he’s more relaxed.
“You passed rule number one.”
Regardless of the mean big scary biker my face cracks and I'm smiling. My guess was correct, I knew this was a test but only because of Killer’s warning. I'm going to have to thank him.
“It's the first time I'm seeing you smile so big.”
I shrug, “It's the second time today.”
He stiffens, but I don't pay it any mind, “You count how many times you smile?”
“When you live on the streets you count everything, smiling is just one of the good things.” I answer him truthfully. “I'm a beggar, I'm not an alien Zero.”
People forget that we can laugh, talk, listen, cry. Many pass us in fancy cars on the street and most will put the window up, or drive faster.
Some think, ‘why don't they go work, get a job,’ it's easy to think that when you going home to a hot meal and warm bed.
Some of us just can't. Some of us are hiding, running, living in fear. Others are searching for the easy way out, and quick buck, or a habit to support.
A few just don't know any other way, they don't want the change.
“It's easy to judge when you outside looking in.” I tell him. What it's not easy to do is see the truth.
The people on the street all have stories, theirs are just much worse than others. And I say this because regardless of what people think, having that extra nest of cash or a steady job makes all the difference when faced with horror.
Money is a false sense of comfort, but comfort it is.
I get a sharp nod in response, his green gaze steady as he stares right into me. “Lets get out of here, then we can talk about the program.”
His words send a garble of unwanted heat to my core at the thought of being that close to him. I need to get away from him, I need to get far away from Zero.
My eyes widen a fraction, it's the one thing I still do, the small thread of my humanity, “I didn’t know we gotta leave.”
“We ain't gotta do anything besides what I say Beauty.” His head tilts, like he's hoping for me to retort, maybe even wants it.
I frown and wipe my hands on my borrowed jeans. “Are you always so bossy. My names Beggar.” I say in a small whisper. My hands are so sweaty all of a sudden.
“Are you always so secretive? You not really expecting me to call you Beggar now are you?” He takes a step closer to me, and I want to step back, but I know if I'm not careful I’ll find myself backed against a corner, and I'm not a girl who wants to be cornered by a predator.
SO I DO THE ONLY THING I can, I swallow, and answer truthfully, “You more than others.”
He closes the space between us in seconds. My heart is drumming so fast even he can see the quick rise and fall of my chest. I expect him to grab me, shake me, or something involving rough contact.
Zero does neither.
My neck rises so I'm face to face with the man I fear, the man with the scar under his left eye. The one man who controls my demons with just a word, a man who has power over me. A stranger that makes me feel things I've never wanted to feel, never thought I could. A man who's called Zero.
He bends his head down, to my right side of my neck.
I go to take that step back. I tried not too but I see the error of my ways. I should know that lambs never wait for the wolf.
“Don't.” His sharp demand has me staying just there. I close my eyes and tilt my head, waiting to see what he’ll do, what he’ll take.
The intake of breath on my neck is not what I expect, nor is the knot in my stomach from the action.
I open my eyes and find he’s taken a step back, his features hard, angry almost.
The feelings I have turn sour. He isn't trying to capture my scent or some corny fucked up shit like that. The asshole was checking to see if I'm still smelling.
The thought hardens me, and it's a shit thing to do but fuck it. I walk past him, sniff him and spit on the ground before I storm away.
Zero's feet are behind me, but he isn't speeding up, just keeping pace. I untangle my hoody from around my waist and slip it into my arms. And I'm sure as the sun is hot I'm going to fry, but I don't give a dime. I just wanna hide, I wanna be invisible.
Chapter 12
Zero
SHE'S STARING OUT THE window. That fucking hoody blocking her face. I'm going to burn that fucking piece of clothing, it's driving me crazy. I can't see her, I can't fucking tell if she's upset or what.
We were walking toward my bike when I saw Falon standing on the porch outside. It's like she was waiting to see what I was going to do, and if I'm being honest I was putting Beggar’s ass on the back of my bike. It was what I wanted, it just felt normal. Beggar was walking in front of me and that's where she was headed too.
One glimpse at Falon’s hurt face had me turning around and going to my Jeep instead. My words were clipped when I told Beggar to get her ass in the car. The hoody covering her face served as a barrier between us even as she did what I asked and I hated that something I did caused that. I felt her stiffen when we jumped in the cage.
I'm not even sure why I care. These feelings are driving me up the wall. I don't wanna feel this shit. I've been conditioned not to feel, not to care. But this girl, this girl just conjures up something in me and I fucking hate her for it.
Beggar felt something earlier in the barn. Her body was begging me for everything and more. And I'm a man It's why I got so close to her, why I inhaled her airy scent, no other reason.
She pretends she's all anti-men but It's an act, it has to be. No one has done that to me, no woman has ever made me want her beyond reasoning. That was seduction she did in there, a pure golden temptress. Her skin didn't flush as she tilted her neck in that way and lowered her eyes, her lips parting.
I adjust my position on the seat. My cock is almost fully erect by that image.
I glance at her from the corner of my eyes. Her face is glued to the window and I know the views for shit. Something happened at the Barn. The temptress became a guarded soul but only after she sniffed me, spat on the ground and stormed out. My feet and pride had me turning and going after her. I've never chased after a woman besides Falon and for good reason. Yet, I sure as shit wanted to know what happened in there, even if I was just pissed that she was the one unaffected and I was the one with blue balls.
After one look at that ass in those jeans my anger was forgotten. The girl is sure as shit thin, but damn if she doesn't have an ass. And I wa
s watching it move as she walked like a man possessed.
No hesitance in her movements, no extra sway in those hips. Nothing. She was walking naturally but that ass.
I don't have to wonder if she knows how fucking sexy her ass is when she's marching. It has a slight jiggle. Flesh to grab, unlike the rest of her body. If she knew, there's no way she would be living on the street.
Some man would be a lucky bastard one day, that's for damn sure.
Killers face flashes in my mind just out of no where. I chance another look at her. A million questions and scenarios come to mind. But there are three questions screaming in my head louder than the others.
Could Beggar want Killer?
Need him?
Is she really submissive?
Killer turned Venus down last night to spend a night playing watch dog for Beggar. When Spade shared that shit with me this morning, I was speechless. Killer’s an emotionless bastard most of the time and that's on his good days. He has never turned down sex for anyone.
The thought of the two of them together has me squeezing the steering wheel tighter.
Keep it together. This isn't good. My jaw clenches and though my vision never fades I know I'm going to break the steering wheel. I can feel the strain my fingers are putting on the car part, it's almost there, at breaking point.
Years of training as a hunter in the special ops taught me the signs of knowing when I'm losing it. And there's no doubt in my mind that my rational thoughts are slipping away. This is really not good. We’re in the middle of the freeway.
I know not to blame myself. I never know what's going to trigger me losing my shit.
I never know what's going to turn me into the cold heartless hunter I'm trained to be. I just know I need to keep Beggar safe, keep her safe from me.
I go into auto pilot.
The first thing I do is assess my situation. If I stop the cage I'm going to have Beggar on the trunk of it with her legs splayed open. Me, balls deep inside her snatch and I'm not going to be able to stop for hours. She isn't going to be safe. No, not safe at all.
If I talk to her first then she's going to win and that might just end in the same way, me in between those thighs.
Shaking my head I try to clear my thoughts. There isn't many options left.
After a minute I do the only other thing I can do, I put my foot on the accelerator needing to feel in control. I can keep her safe, I'm in control. I repeat the mantra silently.
The window goes down and I increase the volume of the song, ‘Kick it in the sticks’ by Brentley Gilbert. How fucking fetching.
She doesn't make a sound or say a word. And that just pisses me off more, she's okay with not talking to me. Why the fuck does it piss me off.
I don't like it.
She should want to say something.
Ask me something.
“You don't have to yell, and put that damn song softer.” She snaps.
It takes me a minute to register I said it out loud.
“Then why are you so fucking quiet, you talk to Killer and Storm.” The accusatory tone of my voice is stark. But I'm beyond caring at this moment.
I focus on the road, drop the music from the buttons on the steering wheel but not the speed. All the while my body is waging a war within itself.
“Storm is easy to talk to and Killer is just, persistent.” She's so honest. But I also know she can be a good liar. All homeless people are.
“And me.” I take my eyes off the empty road to glance at her. Her face is still facing the Window.
“Not easy to talk to.” She rasps dryly in her deep baritone like it's so obvious.
I smirk and my body starts to calm itself down but I stay silent as I make the turn into the gravel road and park by the entrance of the park.
“I'm not that bad, ask me something.” My eyes steady on her hooded face that is still facing the open window.
“I don't think that's a good idea.”
“Ask me.” I snap.
“Stop shouting at me like I'm an imbecile. I don't wanna ask you any questions, I don't wanna know anything about you.”
“Why not?”
She's quiet seeming to consider her answer, “You keep bossing me around to do what you want when you want but then you treat me like a plague. It's clear you don't want me here.”
The retort is on my lips, but she sighs shaking her hooded head, “I get it. I'm a filthy beggar from the streets, a dirt poor shady female that won't tell you her name, living with your people. It's bound to cause problems Zero. But I'm no threat to your club, and me keeping my shit private is keeping my promise.” Her deep dry voice never wavers or rises and she never drops her hoody. I start to say something, I'm not even certain what, I just know those words don't gel well with me.
My phone flashes with Falon’s name interrupting me. I disconnect the call and switch my phone off. I fling it on the dash board and rake my hands into my hair before my finger slides across the scar under my eye. My scar is a reminder to never trust easily, never let my guard down long enough for anyone besides the hand full of people I trust to see past the walls I've created.
The silence in the car would be deafening if not my harsh breathing. The park is dead this time of day, it's why I picked it to explain stuff to Beggar.
“You ain't planning on leaving me here are you.”
My hand is on the door and my entire body stiffens when she asks me that. Not only does she think that I consider her a filthy beggar but she thinks I'm an asshole that will chuck a female in a foreign place to fend for herself. It's the second time I've heard that vulnerable tinge in her voice and it fucking guts me until I have this sick knot twisting in my stomach, because I know it's coming from a strong woman who was broken beyond compare.
I turn to look at her, and I lose my thoughts, I lose my hearing, my feeling, everything except my eyes.
Her hoody is down and her black guarded eyes are staring directly at me.
Something starts to take hold of me, something otherworldly and unexplainable pushing me to protect this girl, to know her, see her, own her, save her.
I can't take my eyes off her, I know that's exactly what I should do. This is wrong, she's a beggar and I'm a taken man. But a small voice whispers, mine.
“I’ll never leave you.”
The sharp intake of her breath and widened eyes brings me back to my senses and what I said. I clear my throat. “I'm the Enforcer and you're one of us. As a member of The Satan Sniper’s you have the clubs protection like everyone else.”
The relief in her shoulders is a good reminder of how she became one of us and why I should stay away from her, if not physically then mentally. I just need to keep reminding myself that and pray I make it through this with my rational thoughts intact. After all I am the fucking Enforcer of the club.
Beggar is still a girl full of secrets and we know nothing about her but what she shared. She could be a hired spy, just playing the part well. I need to keep my head straight.
When we get back to the club I got a woman to claim, and her name sure as shit ain't Beggar.
Chapter 13
Beggar
IT'S FRIDAY, AND FIVE days since my training started. I've been focusing mostly on shooting and physical training. The shooting is going great. Killer said I'm a natural. No surprise there. The physical part, well that just sucks ass. My stamina is good but my strength is for shit.
Venus suggested a high carb diet, so for the past three days my eating habits have increased to six meals a day. Not sure what good that's going to do, but what do I know.
Killer and Zero are my primary instructors. That's what I was told by Zero the day he explained shit to me anyway but Killer is more invested which is fine by me.
Zero is, well I'm not sure what he is but I'm just going to say he is generous, and his generosity spreads in the form of ‘allowing’ as Spade calls it, the others namely, Spade, Snake, Knight and Storm to train me in his place. Of course that
is unless Rounder makes an appearance then he’s there. Moody and full of shit, but he is there.
My close combat training has been put on hold until I become ‘comfortable’ in my own skin. Spade taught me the first day, he’s the best in close combat, which I found as a surprise. I’m pretty sure he’s the smallest built guy in the club. It all was going great. I was learning different ways of blocking punches until he touched me, it was a slight touch on my upper arm. I busted his nose, it was a mistake and I told him so. I also warned him not to touch me again. The good thing was that he finished the lesson, in return I helped him strap his nose. I also explained to Spade that I didn't mind touching a man, I just minded a man touching me.
On the second day of combat, Killer arrived. I know I said he could touch me and we were good with the arm touches and leg stuff but then his hand touched my stomach. He was just getting up from the carpet. My legs instinctively kicked out and I kneed him in the manhood.
Not my favorite moment. He said he was okay but I couldn't hear much with all his gobbling. We didn't finish the lesson but I did get him ice for his manhood.
Then Zero showed up yesterday being his broody asshole self. I haven't spoken to him much since that day in the park, unless his barking orders was considered ‘talking.’
He just switched off that day in the park. I thought by saying what I said I was giving him an out. I think a piece of me thought that he’d be more nicer. His body was like stone when he explained the program to me in auto mode, and that was that.
I tried to pretend I didn't notice his episode in the monster vehicle he calls a cage and I know I succeeded so I knew it was me. That day in the park was one of the longest hours of my life.
After that, the man started behaving similar to Texas and Killer, but where Killer and Texas didn't know any better and did it to everyone. Zero just had a cold indifference to me. At least his words were few to none in the five days since. At first I admit that I was a tiny bit sad by that and I mean very tiny.
